Liquid storage and dispensing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to portable devices for storing and intermittently dispensing liquid such as water. The device can be used as a child&#39;&#39;s toy, if desired. The rearmost portion of the device includes a one-piece, one-way valve that prevents the flow of contained liquid from the device when the same is charged preparatory to use. The elastomeric tubular storage member affixed to the one-way valve is expandable both longitudinally and radially in accordance with admission of liquid contents therein. The liquid charge is stored under pressure, by virtue of the elastomeric, resilient nature of the tubing, and is selectively released through the nozzle structure of the invention by intermittent hand pressure upon the actuating handle of the device. Such actuating handle is cradled or pivoted to a nozzle member constructed in a very simplified manner so as to minimize manufacturing and assembling costs.

United States Patent Adamson et al.

[451 May 9, 1972 LIQUID STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICE Inventors: JordyZ. Adamson, 2932 Zenith Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106; Charles B.Palmer, 580 North 750 West, Provo, Utah 84601 Filed: Apr. 7, 1970 Appl.No.: 26,225

U.S. CI ..239/569, 239/525, 239/571. 239/576, 239/602 Int. Cl ..B05b1/30 Field of Search ..239/576, 577, 570, 571; 137/51 1 References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 499,929 1/1939Great Britain ..239/571 Primary E.\'aminerLloyd L. King A!t0rne v-M.Ralph Shaffer The present invention relates to portable devices forstoring and intermittently dispensing liquid such as water. The devicecan be used as a childs toy, if desired. The rearmost portion of thedevice includes a one-piece, one-way valve that prevents the flow ofcontained liquid from the device when the same is charged preparatory touse. The elastomeric tubular storage member affixed to the one-way valveis expandable both longitudinally and radially in accordance withadmission of liquid contents therein/The liquid charge is stored underpressure. by virtue of the elastomeric, resilient nature of the tubing,and is selectively released through the nozzle structure of theinvention by intermittent hand pressure upon the actuating handle of thedevice. Such actuating handle is cradled or pivoted to a nozzle memberconstructed in a very simplified manner so as to minimize manufacturingand assembling costs ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDMAY91912 3,661,327

INVENTOR. Jordy Z. Adamson BY Charles B. Palmer 4, K WMM Their AhorneyLIQUID STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICE The present invention relates toliquid charging and discharging devices and, more particularly to a newand improved device of the type described by which chargeable liquidssuch as water may be stored under pressure and selectively dispensed orsquirted from the device in a desired manner.

The subject of the present invention is ideally suited as a childs toywhich can be transported from place to place.

According to the present invention, the subject device comprisesessentually a three-element unit. Namely, a nozzle fitting and one-wayvalve combination, an elastomeric, resilient, expandable storage member,and a nozzle device which is easily made, assembled, and manipulated forselective release of liquid contained within the storage member throughthe nozzle of the device.

Filling of the central tubular storage member is accomplished by simplyscrewing the nozzle fitting of the device onto a conventional outsidewater tap, and turning the tap on. The handle control of the nozzle isfulcrumed so as to pinch the tubular storage member closed at theforward portion thereof, to allow for the filling of the device.Subsequently, the nozzle fitting may be removed from the tap, with theone-way valve portion of such tap operating as to retain liquid withinthe tubular storage member. The device, accordingly, may be moved aboutfrom place to place and actuated by depression of the handle so as torelease water contents from the device in a pressured stream.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to pro vide a newand improved device for containing and selectively releasing liquidssuch as water.

A further object is to provide a childs toy having a nozzle equippedwith a liquid storage chamber.

A further object is to provide in a device of the type described, aone-piece, one-way valve, the same co-acting with the hose or tubularmember of the invention such that the valve is closed in the absence ofliquid pressure being applied to the charging nozzle fitting.

An additional object is to provide in a liquid discharge device asuitable nozzle construction that is very inexpensive to manufacture andassemble.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, partially in section, of the water charge anddischarge device made in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the forward portion of the structure of FIG. 1and is similar to FIG. 1, illustrating that depression of the handlemember of the device operates so as to release liquid from the storagearea of the device.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged detail, taken along the line 3-3 inFIG. 1, illustrating an optional nozzle-handle configuration.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section, taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1,illustrating one configuration by which the nozzle and valve portion ofthe device can be fabricated; in FIG. 4 the condition of zero inletpressure is applicable.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but illustrates the expansion of the tubularstorage member of the device when fluid pressure is applied to the inletnozzle thereof, this to fill the expandable, elastomeric, tubularstorage member of the device.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but illustrates that once inletpressure is released, the liquid contents of the tubular storage devicecaptured therewithin is isolated from discharge rearwardly through suchone-way valve portion of the device.

In FIG. 1, member 10 includes an enlarged rearward extremity 11 whichserves as a retention means to accommodate the mounting of the forwardend 12 of elastomeric, expandamember 13 is designated as 14 andcommunicates with central bore 15 of member 10. Lower portion 16 extendsrearwardly, as shown, and includes a lateral terminal end 17 engagingtubular storage member 13.

Member 10 also includes rise portion 18 which has a concave arcuatelyformed seat 19 receiving depending circular tab or fulcrum 20 of controlor handle member 21. Control member 21 may have a forward ball-shapedend 22 and in any event includes a depending terminal end 23 disposedoppositely, relative to end 17 of member 10. A circular elastomericmember 24, such as a rubberband, is slipped over members 10 and 21 so asto retain the ends 23 and 17 mutually together, that is, on oppositesides of tubular storage member 13, in the absence of hand pressureapplied as indicated in FIG. 2. When hand pressure is applied such as tothrust the forward end of member 21 downwardly, see FIG. 2, lateral end23 will rise so as to remove the constriction at tubular storage member13 which theretofore existed at A, see FIG. 1. Accordingly, manualpressure as shown in FIG. 2 will open the tubular storage member 13 sothat liquid may be forcibly ejected from the nozzle portion B of thedevice, through bore 15.

FIG. 3 illustrates optional embodiment of the invention wherein, thistime, member 21A, corresponding to member 21 in FIGS. 1 and 2, now isprovided with a central aperture 25 receiving pin 26. The lattercomprises a pivot pin which is disposed between the upstanding ears 27and 28 of modified member 10A, corresponding to member 10 in FIGS. 1 and2.

Accordingly, the depending tab 20 in FIG. 1 serves as a fulcrum whichseats in the socket or recess 19. Alternatively, see FIG. 3, there issimply a pivotal engagement relative to the parts illustrated.

When the user intends to release a portion of water under the pressurewithin tubular storage member 13, such water may be so released asindicated in FIG. 2. A gradual, intermittent release of water will ofcourse allow the elastomeric tubular storage member to reduce its size,both elongitudinally and radially, until its original dimensions aregradually achieved.

The rearward extremity 30 of tubular storage member 13 is shown disposedover the forward extremity 12 of tubular storage member 13. Valve 31 mayeither be integral with a water-tap fitting 32, to comprise a compositepart 33, or may be a separate part threaded into or otherwise affixedinto a standard fitting. Valve 31 has a closed end portion 34, a charmfered, peripheral, front side 35, and a generally cylindrical portion36. The latter includes liquid apertures 37 and 38 which providecommunication for liquid, such as water, through the rearwardly facingwater-tap fitting 32 into and through valve 31. Valve 31 comprises aone-way valve, such that when water is entering the nozzle as at C inFIG. 5, elastomeric storage member 13 will tend to expand,elongitudinally and radially, and hence permit the water to proceed inthe direction of arrows D and E, through apertures 37 and 38, into theinterior of elastomeric storage member 13. Where elastomeric member 13is composed of rubber tubing such as surgical tubing, and the same willnot elongate but will also expand radially. This explains for thegreatly enlarged cross-section of the tubular member 13 as illustratedin FIG. 5.

Where the water is turned off, as by the conventional tap handle H, FIG.1, then the absence of pressure at the interior of the valve 31 willcause the forward portion F of storage member 13 to collapse against 35,so that none of the liquid stored within member 13 can proceed,outwardly in the reverse direction, i.e. out of fitting 32. Hence, thatportion 39 of member 13 will act to effectively seal apertures 37 and 38of the valves so that no liquid will escape to the left, in the reversedirection. Thus, such liquid L as is stored within the interior ofmember 13 is available for use.

In operation, after the unit is liquid-filled, by actuation of taphandle H, the tap is returned to closed and the nozzle fitting 32 isscrewed from the tap. The construction of the ble, tubular storagemember 13. The hollow interior of device, as illustrated in FIG. 6, willcause the water to be retained within the interior of the elongated andradially enlarged tubing 13, preparatory to the user releasing suchliquid, under the controlled pressure of the tubing, out of nozzlemember 15. In actuating the device, the user will simply depress handlemember 21 so that liquid will squirt out the nozzle portion D of thedevice. See FIG. 2. When pressure is removed or released, then thetensioned rubberband 24 will urge the transverse rearward ends 17 and 23of members and 21 inwardly in the position shown in FIG. 1, so as to cutoff the supply of water to the nozzle area B of member 10.

What is provided, hence, is a new and improved device for storingliquids such as water. This device is easily connectable to aconventional outside water tap. This device, if desired, can becompletely removed from the water supply, such as the outside water tap,and transported about from place to place, as desired, for intermittentuse.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects.

I claim:

1. A liquid storage and dispensing device including, in combination, anelastomeric, tubular, radially and longitudinally expandable liquidstorage member constructed to receive and store under its ownelastomeric pressure a charge of water, one-way valve means secured toone end of said storage member for providing ingress and preventingegress of liquid through said one end, said one-way valve meansincluding a rearwardly facing water-tap fitting, and selectivelyactuatable nozzle means secured to the remaining end of said storagemember and constructed to release, selectively, a stream of liquid ascontained within and elastomerically propelled by said storage memberregardless of attachment or disattachment of said water-tap fitting toan external pressured water source.

2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises avalve member having side holes, said valve member and said storagemember being mutually constructed luv and arranged such that, in theabsence of the presence of pressurized liquid, at said one-way valvemeans, for entrance there-through and into said storage member, thatportion of said storage member which engages said one-way valve meansseals said aperture means to prevent reverse liquid flow therethrough.

3. A nozzle for selectively releasing water from a pressurized watersupply contained in a tubular storage member, said nozzle comprising anelongate nozzle member having a central aperture communicating with theinterior of said tubular storage member and a first rearwardlyextending, reaction portion disposed proximate the forward extremity ofsaid tubular storage member when connected to said nozzle, said nozzlealso including a forwardly directed handle member adjustably secured andsqueezable toward said nozzle member and having a rearwardly directedextension provided with a second reaction portion, said first and secondreaction portions being cooperatively disposed to cooperate together soas to pinch together the opposite sides of said tubular member, when soconnected to said noule, and hence prevent liquid flow there-through tosaid nozzle, and resilient constraining means engaging said first andsecond reaction portions for so urging said reaction portions mutuallytogether to shut off fluid flow in the absence of squeeze-together typemanual pressure applied to said handle member and said nozzle member toopen said nozzle.

4. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member includes acentral fulcrum means rockingly engaging said nozzle member.

5. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member is pivotedto said nozzle member.

6. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member is providedwith an elongate area for a handle squeeze grip, said first and secondreaction portions comprising mutually facing apex abutments.

CAIIRI

1. A liquid storage and dispensing device including, in combination, anelastomeric, tubular, radially and longitudinally expandable liquidstorage member constructed to receive and store under its ownelastomeric pressure a charge of water, one-way valve means secured toone end of said storage member for providing ingress and preventingegress of liquid through said one end, said one-way valve meansincluding a rearwardly facing water-tap fitting, and selectivelyactuatable nozzle means secured to the remaining end of said storagemember and constructed to release, selectively, a stream of liquid ascontained within and elastomerically propelled by said storage memberregardless of attachment or disattachment of said watertap fitting to anexternal pressured water source.
 2. Structure according to claim 1wherein said valve means comprises a valve member having side holes,said valve meMber and said storage member being mutually constructed andarranged such that, in the absence of the presence of pressurizedliquid, at said one-way valve means, for entrance there-through and intosaid storage member, that portion of said storage member which engagessaid one-way valve means seals said aperture means to prevent reverseliquid flow there-through.
 3. A nozzle for selectively releasing waterfrom a pressurized water supply contained in a tubular storage member,said nozzle comprising an elongate nozzle member having a centralaperture communicating with the interior of said tubular storage memberand a first rearwardly extending, reaction portion disposed proximatethe forward extremity of said tubular storage member when connected tosaid nozzle, said nozzle also including a forwardly directed handlemember adjustably secured and squeezable toward said nozzle member andhaving a rearwardly directed extension provided with a second reactionportion, said first and second reaction portions being cooperativelydisposed to cooperate together so as to pinch together the oppositesides of said tubular member, when so connected to said nozzle, andhence prevent liquid flow there-through to said nozzle, and resilientconstraining means engaging said first and second reaction portions forso urging said reaction portions mutually together to shut off fluidflow in the absence of squeeze-together type manual pressure applied tosaid handle member and said nozzle member to open said nozzle. 4.Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member includes acentral fulcrum means rockingly engaging said nozzle member. 5.Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member is pivoted tosaid nozzle member.
 6. Structure according to claim 3 wherein saidhandle member is provided with an elongate area for a handle squeezegrip, said first and second reaction portions comprising mutually facingapex abutments.